Engineer abandons attempt to cross Irish Sea in hamster wheel

Image: IrishSeaCrossing

Chris Todd abandoned his attempt to cross the Irish Sea in a giant hamster wheel yesterday after his contraption broke down in the open water.

35-year-old Todd, an engineer, set out to walk on water in his man-sized aquatic wheel named the 'Tredalo', on a 66-mile route between Holyhead in the UK and Greystones in Dublin. 

Disaster struck 12 miles in when his rudders broke while he attempted to turn the Tredalo against strong waves.

IRISH SEA CROSSING ATTEMPT IS OVER!! Sadly, despite making really fantastic progress to almost the half way point; I could see the glow of lights illuminating the clouds over Ireland.

Despite the wheel coping well with larger than forecast waves....late on Sunday night, the rudders were overcome by fighting the force of the waves, which were constantly battering the side of the raft, and eventually both rudders failed. I boarded the safety boat and the safety crew arranged to tow the Tredalo back to Wales. 

– Irish Sea Crossing 

The machine was being towed back but broke apart before arriving back on shore. The Sun reports that the entire device sank to the bottom of the sea.

The Tredalo wheel propelled itself across the water by its paddles, moved in turn by the walking action of the pilot. The whole machine was balanced on two kayaks on its base.

You can see the original plan, and the vehicle in action, in this promotional video released during the fundraising effort: